4TH Annual Shepherdstown Valentine’s Handmade Market is Saturday

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The 4th Annual Shepherdstown Valentine’s Handmade Market takes place Saturday at Town Run Tap Room and Community Pub from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop from a variety of locally handmade gifts for that special someone. Maybe take home a door prize of handmade and local items. The Market began with the idea that cabin fever hits people hard during the winter months, and there weren’t any Valentine handmade art events in the area.

“Between the Christmas season and April/May, there were no craft shows around,” said founder Michelle Kwiatkowski. “It seems to be a hit. Artists have been sending me lots of great pictures of their Valentine themed gifts they’ve been working on.”

To this date, as far as she knows, The Shepherdstown Valentine’s Handmade Market is the only 100 percent handmade Valentine market around. Kwiatkowski markets with about 5,000 postcards, over 50 posters, and online marketing.

“We’ve seen people come from Baltimore, D.C., northern Virginia, and locally to attend,” she said. “Planning for the 2019 event began about 10 months ago. We carefully select artists from all who apply, for really high quality, Valentine-themed gifts.”

She said a hallmark of the event is that it’s a fun, friendly atmosphere. And people have a chance to meet the talented artists.

“Our region is so rich in the number of talented artisans, operating a small business from their homes. At the event we have room to feature 20 artisans. I wanted to give attendees a fun, free event, while connecting them with local artists that they might not have thought of for Valentine’s shopping.”

She said it’s also good for the local economy. “It’s also been a good boost for Town Run Tap House, where the event is held, as well as to other Shepherdstown businesses. Often attendees head into town to shop at other places or eat at the restaurants.”

There is an arcade area with pinball and games, a kids free play area with toys and things to keep them busy, and a full bar for adults.

Tiffany Miller, LMT, will give free chair massages. The Jefferson County Convention & Visitor Bureau has sponsored the event this year with a tourism grant. Other sponsors are Mountaineer Popcorn of Shepherdstown and Town Run Tap House & Community Pub.

Also, there is a featured charity. JJ Bags collects duffel bags, backpacks, PJs, books, stuffed animals, and toiletries for West Virginia foster kids. Kwiatkowski said many foster kids arrive at their new homes with garbage bags full of their belongings. So, the group wanted to help them get a duffel bag or backpack to carry their things.

And, 20 “swag bags” will be given away to the first 20 shoppers. They’ll be filled with Mountaineer Popcorn Company gourmet popcorn, bath bombs from Wild Rose Soap Co., and other goodies that the artists donate. Every attendee gets entered into the door prize drawing. Artists and businesses donate handmade items to be raffled.

“Usually, it’s $400-plus worth of door prizes we give away,” she said. “It’s kind of like being paid to come shop. I like to give a bit of incentive for people to bundle up and come out for the event.

Town Run Tap is at 202 E. Washington Street. There is free parking, and wheel chair accessibility. Bring the family dog for a walk. For more information, list of vendors, and free RSVP tickets on Eventbrite, see Shepherdstown Valentine’s Market on Facebook.